St Paul’s still in promotion race after derby victory

AN understrength St Paul’s team edged out local rivals Shankill by 12 shots to maintain their chances of promotion to the first division.

On mat one for St Paul’s Marie Corey, Genny Little, Marie Campbell and Aidan McKavangh made an excellent start by winning the first four ends to go into a 10-0 lead.

The Shankill four of Charlie Maguire, Derek Henderson, Bobby Livingstone and Iris Anderson managed to get on the scoresheet but St Paul’s won 12-7.

Jenny McVeigh, Bobby Walsh, Joe Lavery and Joe Mallon on two for the home team were 4-0 down after the first three ends but fought back to win five of the next six ends to go into the last end 7-5 in front.

Shankill’s Gareth Bunting, David Drake, N. Kane and Jim Girvan made an outstanding rally in the final end to clinch three shots for an 8-7 victory.

On three for St Paul’s Dan Dempsey, Molly Ward, Joan Bunting and Gloria Coleman struggled as they trailed 5-3 after five ends.

Although they drew level at 5-5 after two more ends the Shankill four of Reece Millar, David Millar, Molly Livingstone and A. Mullen went into the last end 8-5 ahead.

However St Paul’s managed to find three shots in the final end to share the spoils at 8-8.

The three bowler rink of Peter McGrail, Bridie McCorry and Eilish Sullivan on four for St Paul’s were 4-3 ahead before a great unbeaten run of four ends earned them 10 shots and a 14-3 lead with three ends remaining.

The Shankill rink of Ronnie McCullough, Lindsay Wallace, E. Mitchell and E. Weir were completely outplayed as St Paul’s went on to win 12-4.